Cemetery of Anchors
The Cemetery of Anchors (Portuguese: Cemitério das Âncoras) is a subaquatic archaeological site, situated within the Bay of Angra, in the civil parish of Sé, municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, on the Portuguese island of Terceira, in the Azores.
History
Historical reference indicate that wintering by boats in the shelter of Angra were dangerous, owing to the fury of storms.[1] Many ships were buffeted and lost their anchors by the violent swells that buffeted the "shelter" of the provincial capital, if they were not sunk outright.[1] Approximately 74 shipwrecks or sinkings occurred in the Bay of Angra between 1522 and 1996.[1]
A great number of these shipwrecks have not yet been encountered, and today only 13 archaeological sites within Bay of Angra have been discovered. Two of them were in an excellent state for exploration, geotourism and provided geocultural characteristics of great museological significance.[1] Consequently, the regional government, following an exhaustive study and surveying in the site of Lidador (a steamship bound for Brazil but which sunk in 1878) and the Cemitério das Âncoras, which became known as the old anchorage for the Port of Angra, established a subaquatic parque.[1] This Parque Arqueológico Subaquático da Baía de Angra (Archeological Subaquatic Park of the Bay of Angra) was established on 12 October 2005 to preserve and promote the histo-cultural significance of the Bay to life in Angra do Heroísmo.[1]
Geography
Its limits extend from the Fort of São Benedito until the eastern edge of Monte Brasil, along the second line of defensive walls that protected the mountain, for approximately 500 metres (1,600 ft). The depth at which the artefacts and ruins exist varies from 22 metres (72 ft) (in an area of rocks) until 32 metres (105 ft) (in an area of sand).
Divers can reach the site by boat, and the area is classified as a medium scale of difficulty, owing to the depths involved.[2] Although maritime currents are not strong, the area is identified by surface buoys: the area falls within the port-control zone associated with the Porto das Pipas, and is conditioned by boat movements.[2]
It is possible to observe a variety of anchors, from various periods of history, but specifically between the 16th and 20th century.[2] There are approximately 40 examples of anchors from different boats from these periods.[2] Many of the objects in the bay are testaments to past shipping accidents, committed by pilots that were unfamiliar with the characteristics of the bay.[2] In many cases those pilots, always desperate to avoid shipwrecks would cut their lines in an attempt to find the open sea. By doing this, they hoped to avoid the dangerous southern or south-eastern winds, locally known as "ventos carpinteiro" (carpenter winds), since after shipwrecking the ships' wood would be reused by locals as building materials.[2]
Three minutes by boat from the Port of Angra are two buoys, indicating the subaquatic park. The northerly buoy provides access to achor 555, some 16 metres (52 ft) , supported over a large rocky block. Continuing southwest are various anchors, from different periods, until a vertical wall that is located near the beach. At 35 metres (115 ft) there is also an enormous inverted anchor.
Biome
In addition to the archaeological interest of the subaquatic park, the area is also an important registry of oceanic species and marine flora.[2] From a medium depth of 15 metres (49 ft) to approximately 35 metres (115 ft), the bottom of the bay includes rock and sand.[2] The conditions provide useful characteristics for underwater photography, including geological features and maritime species. Since it is not considered a dangerous local area, diving both in the day and evening are possible.[2] Here there are several marine species that are frequently visible: such as Whiteseabream or Sargo (Diplodus sargus), Common bream (Pagellus acarne), Dusky Groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), Mediterranean moray (Muraena helena), Salema porgy (Sarpa salpa), Almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana) and Common stingrays (Dasyatis pastinaca).
References
- Notes
- ^ a b c d e f GRA (2005), p.5996
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Cemitério das Âncoras" (in Portuguese). Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal: VisitAzores. 2013. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- Sources
- Decreto Regulamentar Regional n.o 20/2005/A Parque Arqueológico Subaquático da Baía de Angra, na ilha Terceira (PDF) (in Portuguese), Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal, 12 October 2005, retrieved 28 December 2014
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- v
- t
- e
- Altares
- Cinco Ribeiras
- Doze Ribeiras
- Feteira
- Nossa Senhora da Conceição
- Porto Judeu
- Posto Santo
- Raminho
- Ribeirinha
- Santa Bárbara
- Santa Luzia
- São Bartolomeu de Regatos
- São Bento
- São Mateus da Calheta
- São Pedro
- Sé
- Serreta
- Terra Chã
- Vila de São Sebastião
landmarks
- Algar do Carvão
- Bay of Angra
- Bay of Pontas
- Bay of Salga
- Bay of Refugo
- Cabras Islets
- Furna de Água
- Galerias da Feteira
- Gruta Brisa Azul
- Gruta das Agulhas
- Gruta das Cinco Ribeiras
- Gruta das Mercês
- Gruta do Zé Grande
- Gruta dos Ratões
- Lagoa do Negro
- Mata da Serreta
- Monte Brasil
- Parque de Campismo das Cinco Ribeiras
- Ponta do Queimado
- Porto das Cinco Ribeiras
- Prainha
- Serra da Ribeirinha
- Serra de Santa Bárbara
- Serra do Morião ou da Nasce Água
- Zona Balnear do Negrito
landmarks
- Bettencourt Palace
- Cais da Alfândega
- Cais da Silveira
- Castle of Moinhos
- Cemetery of Anchors
- Church of São Mateus da Calheta
- Convent of São Gonçalo
- Duke of Terceira Garden
- Fort of the Açougue
- Fort of the Cavalas
- Fort of the Church of São Mateus da Calheta
- Fort of Greta
- Fort of Má Ferramenta
- Fort of the Maré
- Fort of Negrito
- Fort of Santo António do Monte Brasil
- Fort of São João
- Fort of São João Baptista
- Forte das Caninas
- Forte das Cinco Ribeiras
- Forte da Salga
- Forte de Santa Catarina das Mós
- Forte de Santo António
- Forte de São Fernando
- Forte de São Francisco
- Forte de São Sebastião
- Forte do Terreiro
- Forte do Zimbreiro
- Fortress of São Mateus da Calheta
- Reducto da Salga
- Miradouro da Amoreira
- Miradouro da Ponta do Queimado
- Miradouro da Serreta
- Miradouro das Veredas
- Miradouro do Pico das Cruzinhas
- Miradouro do Pico Matias Simão
- Municipal Palace/Hall of Angra do Heroísmo
- Parque Arqueológico Subaquático da Baía de Angra do Heroísmo
- Parque de Campismo das Cinco Ribeiras
- Parque Municipal do Relvão (Angra do Heroísmo)
- Porto das Cinco Ribeiras
- Redoubt of Dois Paus
- Redoubt of Três Paus
- Manor of Madre de Deus
- Sé Cathedral of Angra do Heroísmo
- Category